Integrated pressure transducer in a latching valve

Abstract

A vapor purge system having a tank isolation valve and a canister vent valve, where each valve includes a latching mechanism for maintaining the valves in an open position, and a diagnostic test is performed on the purge system to prove that each of the valves are functioning correctly. Using latching valves in these applications reduces electricity draw from the battery and reduces electrical interference with integrated pressure sensors. The fuel tank is sealed by the tank isolation valve between the fuel tank and a vapor storage canister, and the canister vent valve provides sealing between the canister and the atmosphere, and controls venting of the canister. The diagnostic test is performed using the tank isolation valve and the canister vent valve under different operating conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a valve assembly, including:
 an inlet port; 
 a sensing unit; 
 a port connected to the inlet port, the port being part of the sensing unit; and 
 a sensing element disposed in the port; 
 wherein the sensing element detects at least one measured parameter in the inlet port. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the sensing unit further comprising:
 a housing, the port integrally formed with the housing; and   a circuit board connected to the housing, the circuit board being in electrical communication with the sensing element;   wherein after the sensing element detects the pressure and the temperature in the inlet port, the sensing element sends a signal to the circuit board indicating the pressure and the temperature in the inlet port.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the valve assembly further comprising a side port integrally formed as part of the inlet port, the port of the sensing unit disposed in the side port when the sensing unit is connected to the inlet port. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a valve seat integrally formed as part of the inlet port; and   a valve selectively in contact with the valve seat;   wherein the valve is in contact with the valve seat when the valve is in a closed position, and the valve is moved away from the valve seat when the valve is in an open position.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the valve assembly is part of a vapor purge system. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , the purge system further comprising:
 a carbon canister, the inlet port in fluid communication with the carbon canister;   wherein the valve is changed between the open position and the closed position to control the flow of air between the carbon canister and the inlet port.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , the valve assembly further comprising a canister vent valve. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , the purge system further comprising:
 a fuel tank, the inlet port in fluid communication with the fuel tank;   wherein the valve is changed between the open position and the closed position to control the flow of purge vapor between the fuel tank and the inlet port.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , the valve assembly further comprising a fuel tank isolation valve. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the at least one parameter further comprising temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the at least one parameter further comprising pressure. 
     
     
         12 . A valve assembly which is part of a vapor purge system, comprising:
 an inlet port;   a side port integrally formed as part of the inlet port, the side port being substantially perpendicular to the inlet port;   a sensing unit having housing;   a port formed as part of the housing, the port disposed in the side port, connecting the sensing unit to the inlet port; and   a sensing element disposed in the port;   wherein the port is in fluid communication with the inlet port such that the sensing element is able to detect the amount of pressure and temperature in the inlet port.   
     
     
         13 . The valve assembly which is part of a vapor purge system of  claim 12 , the sensing unit further comprising a circuit board connected to the housing, wherein the circuit board is in electrical communication with the sensing element such that after the sensing element detects the pressure and the temperature in the inlet port, the sensing element sends a signal to the circuit board indicating the pressure and the temperature in the inlet port. 
     
     
         14 . The valve assembly which is part of a vapor purge system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a valve seat integrally formed as part of the inlet port; and   a valve selectively in contact with the valve seat;   wherein the valve is in contact with the valve seat when the valve is in a closed position, and the valve is moved away from the valve seat when the valve is in an open position.   
     
     
         15 . The valve assembly which is part of a vapor purge system of  claim 14 , the purge system further comprising:
 a carbon canister, the inlet port in fluid communication with the carbon canister;   wherein the valve is changed between the open position and the closed position to control the flow of air between the carbon canister and the inlet port.   
     
     
         16 . The valve assembly which is part of a vapor purge system of  claim 15 , the valve assembly further comprising a canister vent valve. 
     
     
         17 . The valve assembly which is part of a vapor purge system of  claim 14 , the purge system further comprising:
 a fuel tank, the inlet port in fluid communication with the fuel tank;   wherein the valve is changed between the open position and the closed position to control the flow of purge vapor between the fuel tank and the inlet port.   
     
     
         18 . The valve assembly which is part of a vapor purge system of  claim 17 , the valve assembly further comprising a fuel tank isolation valve. 
     
     
         19 . A valve assembly having an integrated pressure sensor device, comprising:
 an inlet port;   a valve seat integrally formed with the inlet port;   a valve selectively in contact with the valve seat, as the valve is changed between an open position and a closed position;   a side port integrally formed with the inlet port;   a sensing unit connected to the side port;   a port formed as part of the sensing unit, the port disposed in the side port when the sensing unit is connected to the side port; and   a sensing element disposed in the port, the sensing element being part of the sensing unit;   wherein the sensing element detects the amount of pressure and temperature in the inlet port.   
     
     
         20 . The valve assembly having an integrated pressure sensor device of  claim 19 , the sensing unit further comprising:
 a housing, the port integrally formed with the housing; and   a circuit board connected to the housing, the circuit board being in electrical communication with the sensing element;   wherein after the sensing element detects the pressure and the temperature in the inlet port, the sensing element sends a signal to the circuit board indicating the pressure and the temperature in the inlet port.   
     
     
         21 . The valve assembly having an integrated pressure sensor device of  claim 19 , wherein the valve assembly is part of a vapor purge system. 
     
     
         22 . The valve assembly having an integrated pressure sensor device of  claim 21 , the purge system further comprising:
 a plurality of valve assemblies;   a carbon canister; and   a fuel tank, one of the plurality of valve assemblies in fluid communication with the fuel tank and the carbon canister;   wherein the valve is changed between the open position and the closed position to control the flow of purge vapor between the carbon canister and the fuel tank.   
     
     
         23 . The valve assembly having an integrated pressure sensor device of  claim 22 , one of valve assemblies further comprising a fuel tank isolation valve, wherein the fuel tank isolation valve is changed between the open position and the closed position to control the flow of purge vapor between the carbon canister and the fuel tank. 
     
     
         24 . The valve assembly having an integrated pressure sensor device of  claim 22 , the purge system further comprising an air filter, one of the plurality of valve assemblies in fluid communication with the air filter and the carbon canister. 
     
     
         25 . The valve assembly having an integrated pressure sensor device of  claim 24 , one of the plurality of valve assemblies further comprising a canister vent valve, wherein the canister vent valve is changed between the open position and the closed position to control the flow of air between the carbon canister and the air filter.